Former President Donald Trump’s aides are developing a deportation strategy mirroring the UK’s controversial Rwanda asylum plan, intending to accelerate asylum hearings, revoke deportation protections, and negotiate migrant entry with other countries if Trump returns to power. The US initiative, led by ex-Trump officials, including ex-ICE director Tom Homan, aims for a significant deportation operation to cope with the surge in migrants. In contrast, Chinese migrants in New York seek asylum, fleeing political repression in China amidst a rising influx and challenges of integration.
Trump Aides Plan Deportation Effort Inspired by UK’s Rwanda Policy
Aides to former President Donald Trump are preparing a large-scale deportation strategy, drawing inspiration from the UK’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. According to the Wall Street Journal, should Trump be re-elected, his team aims to expedite asylum hearings, revoke deportation protections, and pressure countries to accept migrants attempting to enter the US from Mexico.
The Rwanda policy, although agreed upon by the UK in 2022, has faced significant legal challenges and has yet to be implemented. Efforts in the US, led by former Trump administration officials and supporters, are focusing on drafting executive orders and policy documents to swiftly implement these changes if Trump takes office again.
Tom Homan, a former US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director under Trump, emphasized the need for what he described as “a historic deportation operation” in response to what he called a historic influx of migrants.
In a recent Michigan rally, Trump reiterated these plans, promising to commence the largest domestic deportation operation in American history on his first day back in office.
Chinese Migrants Seek Asylum in New York
In recent months, numerous Chinese migrants, including former restaurant owner Ye Chengxiang, have entered the US via its southern border, escaping increasing political repression in China. Many have settled in New York City’s Flushing neighborhood, known for its long-established Chinese community.
Ye and his family, driven by the Chinese government’s crackdown on the Hui Muslim ethnic group, made a perilous journey through Central America. Now, they are in the process of seeking asylum in the US, feeling a newfound sense of freedom despite the challenges they face.
The influx of Chinese migrants to the US has significantly increased, with over 37,000 apprehended at the southern border in 2023. These migrants are often drawn to Chinese enclaves in the US, which offer critical support systems including legal aid and job markets.
The US has a track record of granting asylum to Chinese nationals, given past geopolitical events such as the Tiananmen Square massacre. However, the journey to asylum and integration remains fraught with difficulties, especially amid rising anti-Asian sentiment and the political tensions between the US and China.
While the Chinese government maintains it protects its citizens’ rights, migrants like Jiang Zhen, who claimed repression for his social media activities, and Li Jiada, navigating life’s challenges as a new Christian convert, stand by their choice for a better life in the US.
